Minnesota's 350,000+ veterans are entitled to one of the Midwest's most generous state benefit packages — including a Market Value Exclusion of up to $300,000, a stackable state GI Bill, National Guard tuition reimbursement, and free hunting licenses. Here's how to claim every dollar.
Minnesota is home to more than 350,000 veterans, a proud tradition of military service stretching back to the Civil War, and some of the most valuable state-level veteran benefits in the country. Fort Snelling — one of the oldest military installations in the United States — stands as a symbol of Minnesota's deep military heritage. The Minneapolis VA Medical Center serves as a regional hub for veteran healthcare across the Upper Midwest.
But what most Minnesota veterans don't fully realize is that the state has layered significant financial benefits on top of the federal VA system. You don't have to choose between state and federal benefits — in most cases, they stack. A veteran with a 70% VA disability rating living in a Minneapolis suburb, for example, can combine federal disability compensation, a state property tax exclusion worth thousands per year, a state GI Bill on top of their federal education benefits, and free hunting and fishing licenses.
This guide covers every major Minnesota state veterans benefit, including the exact eligibility thresholds, statutory citations, and how to apply for each one.
Minnesota's property tax benefit for disabled veterans is structured as a Market Value Exclusion under Minnesota Statutes § 273.13, subdivision 34. Unlike a full exemption, the exclusion reduces the taxable market value of your home — which can translate to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in annual property tax savings depending on where you live.
To qualify, you must have a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher from the VA, and the property must be your primary residence. The exclusion applies to one property only.
| VA Disability Rating | Maximum Market Value Excluded | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| 70%–99% (service-connected) | Up to $150,000 | Veteran with qualifying SC disability |
| 100% (service-connected) | Up to $300,000 | Veteran with 100% SC disability rating |
| Any qualifying disability | Continues at veteran's level | Surviving spouse (until remarriage or sale) |
The real-world dollar savings depend on your local property tax rate. In Hennepin County, for example, the effective property tax rate is roughly 1.1–1.3% of market value. A $300,000 exclusion would save a 100% disabled veteran approximately $3,300–$3,900 per year in property taxes — that's money back in your pocket every single year without doing anything additional after the initial application.
Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans can continue to receive the Market Value Exclusion after the veteran's death, provided the spouse has not remarried and continues to own and occupy the property as a primary residence. This is a significant protection that helps surviving spouses remain in their homes.
Your property tax savings depend directly on your VA disability rating. Use our free calculator to see if your current rating reflects all your service-connected conditions.
Check Your Rating →Minnesota offers multiple education benefit programs that can stack on top of federal GI Bill benefits — meaning you don't have to choose between them. For many veterans, combining the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill with the Minnesota GI Bill results in full tuition coverage plus a housing allowance.
The Minnesota GI Bill provides up to $3,000 per year in education assistance for eligible veterans, service members, and their dependents who are Minnesota residents. Critically, this benefit is separate from and stackable with the federal GI Bill — you can use both at the same time.
To be eligible as a veteran, you must be an honorably discharged Minnesota resident who served at least 181 days of active duty (excluding training), or been discharged due to a service-connected disability. Guard and Reserve members with qualifying deployment service may also be eligible.
The Children of Fallen Soldiers Scholarship, administered through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), provides education benefits to children of Minnesota service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability. Eligible children can receive tuition assistance at Minnesota public colleges and universities. Contact MSRS directly for current benefit amounts and eligibility documentation requirements.
Current members of the Minnesota Army National Guard or Minnesota Air National Guard can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per year at eligible Minnesota colleges and universities. This program is administered through the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs and is separate from the federal Tuition Assistance program — they can be combined.
Up to $3,000/yr ($10,000 lifetime). Stackable with federal GI Bill. Available to veterans, service members, and their dependents who are MN residents.
Up to $6,000/yr for current Minnesota National Guard members. Combinable with federal Tuition Assistance. Covers tuition at MN colleges and universities.
Education benefits for children of Minnesota service members who died in the line of duty or from service-connected disability. Administered by MSRS.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used simultaneously with the MN GI Bill for tuition, fees, housing, and books. Use our state benefits tool to see your combined total.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is the state agency responsible for administering Minnesota's veterans benefit programs. MDVA operates through a network of county-level Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), Veterans Homes, and state cemeteries that provide direct services to veterans and their families across Minnesota.
Every county in Minnesota has at least one County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) who can help you navigate both state and federal benefits at no charge. CVSOs can assist with VA disability claims, appeals, pension applications, and connecting you with state benefit programs. These officers are often underutilized — many veterans don't know their county has this free resource.
To find your county VSO, visit the MDVA website or call 1-888-LINK-VET (1-888-546-5838).
Minnesota operates five Veterans Homes across the state, providing skilled nursing care, assisted living, and adult day programs for veterans and their spouses:
Admission is prioritized based on veteran status and medical need. Costs are on a sliding scale based on ability to pay, with VA per diem payments often covering a significant portion of the cost. These homes provide an alternative to standard nursing facilities and are staffed by professionals who understand the unique needs of veterans.
Minnesota maintains three state veterans cemeteries that provide free burial for eligible veterans and their dependents:
Burial is free for veterans who are Minnesota residents and were honorably discharged. Dependents of qualifying veterans are also eligible. This benefit provides a dignified final tribute to those who served.
Minnesota law provides meaningful employment preferences to veterans applying for state and local government jobs, helping veterans transition their military skills into civilian careers.
Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 197, veterans applying for state and local government positions receive a preference in hiring. Specifically:
The layoff protection is particularly valuable — it means that even if a veteran is relatively new to a state job, they cannot be laid off ahead of non-veteran colleagues in the same classification. This is a strong protection unique to Minnesota's veterans preference law.
The MDVA's Hire a Vet campaign connects Minnesota employers with veteran job seekers. Employers who participate commit to veteran-friendly hiring practices. Veterans can register with the campaign to get connected with participating employers who actively seek to hire veterans for their military skills and leadership experience.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 97A.441, Minnesota veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating are entitled to a free hunting and fishing license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This license is valid for all legal hunting and fishing in Minnesota, including deer, turkey, and all sport fishing species.
To obtain the free license, visit a DNR license agent or apply online at the Minnesota DNR website. You'll need to provide documentation of your 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA.
Minnesota offers several specialty veterans license plates, including plates recognizing specific campaigns, branches of service, and disability status. Many of these plates carry reduced registration fees for qualifying veterans. Contact the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) for the current list of available plates and eligibility requirements.
Minnesota is not among the states that fully exempt military retirement pay from state income tax. However, Minnesota does offer a significant deduction for military retirement pay under Minnesota Statutes § 290.0132. The deduction amount and eligibility criteria are adjusted periodically — consult the Minnesota Department of Revenue or a tax professional familiar with Minnesota veterans tax benefits for the current deduction amount. Veterans receiving military retirement should factor this into their annual tax planning.
Many Minnesota veterans are only aware of their federal VA benefits. But the state benefits described here — especially the property tax exclusion and the Minnesota GI Bill — can be worth thousands of dollars per year on top of what you already receive. The key is knowing your VA rating and making sure it's accurate.
The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides critical services to homeless and at-risk veterans in Minnesota. MACV offers a range of programs including housing placement, rental assistance, financial counseling, employment services, and legal aid — all specifically tailored to veterans.
MACV works in partnership with the VA, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and local housing organizations to help veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Services are available to veterans across the state, with offices in the Twin Cities metro area and outreach to greater Minnesota.
If you or a veteran you know is facing housing instability, MACV should be the first call. Contact MACV at (612) 466-9235 or visit their website for more information about available services.
The most important step any Minnesota veteran can take is making sure their VA disability rating accurately reflects all of their service-connected conditions. Your state benefits are directly tied to your VA rating — a rating that is too low means you're paying too much in property taxes, potentially missing out on the Minnesota GI Bill, and not receiving the full employment preference you've earned.
Here's a practical path forward:
claim.vet guides Minnesota veterans through every step of the VA disability claims process — from identifying conditions to filing and appealing. Get your full rating so you can unlock every state benefit you've earned.
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